Does this Fundraising Appeal Cross the Out-of-Bounds Line?

(Editor’s Note: Government Code Section 84308 states:

“No officer of an agency shall accept, solicit, or direct a contribution of more than two hundred fifty dollars ($250) from any party, or his or her agent, or from any participant, or his or her agent, while a proceeding involving a license, permit, or other entitlement for use is pending before the agency and for three months following the date a final decision is rendered in the proceeding if the officer knows or has reason to know that the participant has a financial interest, as that term is used in Article 1 (commencing with Section 87100) of Chapter 7. This prohibition shall apply regardless of whether the officer accepts, solicits, or directs the contribution for himself or herself, or on behalf of any other officer, or on behalf of any candidate for office or on behalf of any committee.” Emphasis added. See electronic contribution solicitation below.)

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A Message from Sara Wan

Dear Friend,

Pedro Nava is running for California Attorney General and he needs our help. The June Primary is quickly approaching and we must act now.

Pedro is our friend and a true environmental champion. After eight years on the Coastal Commission and three terms in the State Assembly, he has proven himself to be one of the strongest and most effective environmental leaders in California.

Pedro received the sole Sierra Club California endorsement. Pedro has the best environmental record of all the Attorney General candidates and we can count on him to continue that commitment. As a Legislator, Pedro successfully fought the gun lobby to pass legislation banning the use of lead ammunition in Condor country, established a comprehensive oil spill prevention program, and strengthened watershed protection.

Last year, Pedro led a coalition of over 100 environmental organizations to block a Texas-based oil company from opening up our coast to the first dirty and dangerous drilling in California Sanctuary Act waters in more than 40 years. He also introduced The Oil Industry Fair Share Act, which will establish an oil severance tax on each barrel of crude oil pumped by companies in California, producing more money for vital state programs.

As your next Attorney General, Pedro will be the chief law enforcement officer in California with the authority to punish polluters and those who want to spoil our precious coast. A vote for Pedro is a vote to protect our environment.

We have worked side by side with Pedro and witnessed his dedication to improving California’s environment and protecting it for future generations. Today, we have the opportunity to elect an Attorney General who will make environmental protection a priority. But he cannot become our Attorney General without your help. Join us and other environmental leaders and organizations in supporting Pedro.

This is probably the second most ignored provision in the Political Reform Act.

Though failure to comply with it is undoubtedly not unique to them, Coastal Commissioners have regularly led the charge despite its proscription on behalf of their appointing authorities, their colleagues past and present, and of course themselves for at least 30 years, seemingly oblivious to its existence and/or its applicability to them. Another recent example involved an event hosted by the Commission vice-chair (a former legislative staffer who should know better) for the Commission chair, but who’s counting? Though a few pro-development Coastal Commission appointees garnered a bit of media attention for their efforts in the late ’70’s, the major offenders may well be the staunchest anti-development Commissioners; and while much of the solicitation may be ad hoc and uncoordinated, starting in app. 1998, their efforts have frequently been concerted — and can be credited with victories in a number of close local and statewide elections.

Wan is the epitome of what’s wrong with many appointees in this state. She has a mansion overlooking the Pacific Ocean that probably couldn’t get a coastal permit today, let alone one she’d vote for.

Commissioner Wan is the darling appointee of people like Burton and Steinberg. She is the keeper of the coast while raising money for liberal causes. No doubt she is out hustling money for Susan Jordan, spouse of Pedro Nava, who is running for his Assembly seat in the 35th. Jordan is another do-gooder who lobbied Wan and Nava while both were on the Coastal Commission.

These people protect the coast for all Californians, but only a select few get to use it. And that’s part of the plan.

Sara Wan’s mansion was excluded from the coastal zone while all of her neighbors’ properties are in the coastal zone.

She consistently puts her agenda ahead of what is good for families and public safety. A new ball park in Malibu which can be used by residents and visitors alike. Lights at the high school until 10:30 at night so that our youth have some place to gather and stay out of trouble and families can spend time together. Opening beaches that are impassable at high tide and where the only parking requires a dash across the Coast Highway.